Jillian Soto waits to hear about her sister, a teacher, after the shooting. / Jessica Hill, AP

by Haya El Nasser, USA TODAY

by Haya El Nasser, USA TODAY

The heartbreaking anguish on a young woman's face as she sobs on a cellphone in the middle of a parking lot has come to symbolize the Sandy Hook school tragedy.

But until now, it was not clear who the woman was and what her connection was to the school. Was she the mother of a schoolkid? Was she the daughter of an administrator?

She is Jillian Soto, the sister of Victoria Soto, the first-grade teacher who has been hailed as a hero for coming between her first-grade students and the shooter by shepherding them into a closet. Victoria Soto, 27, was killed.

Scores of people gathered in the slain teacher's hometown of Stratford, Conn., Saturday night for an emotional vigil.

The iconic Associated Press photo was taken Friday, as relatives descended on the school to find out about their loved ones. It has appeared on countless front pages and websites.